Legislative leaders from around the world stressed the role of the parliament in promoting a global safety net in the Group of 20 Seoul Speakers’ Consultation sessions Thursday.
Under the motto “Safe World, Better Future,” the first part of the afternoon sessions was allocated to the issue of designing detailed parliamentary collaboration to curb terrorism and respond to natural disasters, according to officials.
National Assembly Speaker Park Hee-tae (right) shakes hands with Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives Harry Jenkins before their bilateral meeting on Thursday, the second day of the G20 Seoul Speakers’ Consultation. (Yonhap News)
Especially the delegate from Japan, which experienced crisis earlier this year with the unprecedented earthquake, tsunami and resulting radiation leaks, who emphasized the necessity of an international safety net.
“In order to respond to accidents such as radiation leaks, which cause extensive and irreversible damages, the global community has to be equipped with detailed preventive measures,” said Hirono Tadashi, a member of the Japanese House of Councillors.
He also thanked Korea and other countries for offering disaster relief assistance, saying that the international community displayed unity and cooperation.
Following his presentation, Harry Jenkins, speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, said it is the role of parliaments to make sure that governments carry out proper anti-terrorist policies.
“Democracy and justice are the very basic rights for all people, and the parliaments all around the world should step out to protect them,” said Vannino Chiti, vice president of the Italian Senate.
In the last session of the afternoon, representatives shared strategies for developing economies, based on the development experiences of advanced countries.
By Bae Hyun-jung (
tellme@heraldcorp.com)
